Fecal Diagnostics: Why They Matter for Your Pet
Fecal floats are an important tool for diagnosing the causes of diarrhea, especially in younger pets, senior pets, or pets with other health conditions. We recommend performing a fecal float during one of the first vaccine visits for all puppies and kittens. At Jackpot Veterinary Center, we use Antech, which provides a comprehensive test that looks for parasitic eggs and organism antigens.
Some of the most common parasites we look for include Giardia, roundworms, and Cystoisospora.
Giardia is a protozoan parasite that can cause bloody diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, and vomiting. Pets can pick it up by drinking contaminated water or from another infected animal. Giardia is zoonotic, which means it can infect humans, although this is very rare.
Roundworms are internal parasites that may lead to diarrhea, weight loss or decreased growth, vomiting, coughing, and abdominal discomfort. Pets can get roundworms from exposure to other dogs’ feces, by eating an intermediate host such as birds or rodents, or during nursing from their mother. Roundworms are zoonotic as well, so there is also potential risk to people.
Cystoisospora is another protozoan parasite that commonly affects puppies and kittens. Symptoms can include diarrhea with or without blood, weight loss, decreased appetite, vomiting, and lethargy. Pets become infected through contaminated environments or direct contact with infected feces.
If your pet is experiencing diarrhea without an obvious cause, we recommend scheduling an appointment and bringing a fecal sample with you. Please try to bring a fresh sample in a disposable container. If that is not possible, keep the sample refrigerated. When collecting or disposing of feces, remember to use good biosecurity and wash your hands afterward.
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us at Jackpot Veterinary Center. We are here to help keep your pets healthy and comfortable.